The Piedmont Park Stories: The Seven Year Itch

or the Ripples of Love?

I was watching this guy for quite while. He was putting so much effort into cleaning his exterior. Soon the whole thing started looking a bit ridiculous, I started worrying about him. Two duckchesses were circling around him in amusement. Was one of them his wife and he tried to impress her? Or was he trying to seduce her female friend, as of saying "Look, I'm not just an ordinary duck. Look how spotless my plumage is". Finally, he and one of the ladies took off together to the nearest reeds. I scratched my head. Have I just witnessed a bold act of adultery or was it a loving husband's exemplary behavior?

The Piedmont Park Stories: The Seven Year Itch

or the Ripples of Love?

I was watching this guy for quite while. He was putting so much effort into cleaning his exterior. Soon the whole thing started looking a bit ridiculous, I started worrying about him. Two duckchesses were circling around him in amusement. Was one of them his wife and he tried to impress her? Or was he trying to seduce her female friend, as of saying "Look, I'm not just an ordinary duck. Look how spotless my plumage is". Finally, he and one of the ladies took off together to the nearest reeds. I scratched my head. Have I just witnessed a bold act of adultery or was it a loving husband's exemplary behavior?

Derek the Drake, the reigning #1 gigolo of Piedmont Park...he is a pretty boy and knows what he must do to remain top duck.
As you have witnessed, the old ducks are queueing to get a piece of this tasty bill and, it appears, he is not disappointing them.
Lovely image VZ, and a feathered lesson in what we must do if this is to be our main occupation.

vz-nostalgia: Good lesson here indeed, Ray. If you look at what happened here from a distance, the story looks somewhat familiar. I think I'll go grab a volume of my old buddy Shakespeare and flip though the pages full of love and betrayal once again.

Having raised ducks in the past I can tell you that there is no husband loyalty. There are no husbands. They will go into the reeds with anything. The drakes are very brutal but the ducks don't scream rape or even seem to mind at all. They have a breeding season and I didn't notice what country you are in thus whether it is spring or autumn where you are. They breed in the spring.

I love duck photos and this is very nice.

vz-nostalgia: Appreciate your expertise in all duck matters, Mary. At least we have one expert among us who knows this stuff in depth. A brutal and unappealing truth revealed to us from your comment.
I grabbed the image from my archive, it might as well be spring time, when I made the shot.

Very vibrant picture -great timing on the shot as well. nice work (as usual).

Now for the comedy (that you were expecting).
My mind was moved to wonder by your statement "He was putting so much effort into cleaning his exterior" -If only you could match the dear mallard's efforts at WORK!

...ahhhhh I feel better now lol

vz-nostalgia: "If only you could match the dear mallard's efforts at WORK". Do you mean, if I clean myself all day long in the office? Even dogs don't do that, Danny.